ANZAC Day Service in Poland – 100th Anniversary of the Gallipoli Landings commemorated in Warsaw

Many Australians would find it surprising perhaps to discover that an Anzac Day Service has taken place here in Warsaw for some years. To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the landing, the Embassies of New Zealand and Australia, with support from the Warsaw Garrison, held a Service of Remembrance at 1145 hours on Saturday 25 April 2015 at the Tomb of Unknown Soldier, Pl. Piłsudskiego in Warsaw.

I have always felt that the broad notion of 'allies betrayed' has bound Poles, Australians and New Zealanders together in spirit however complex and many-sided the actual historical truth. The three nationalities, allies in war but apparently so different, share a love of risk, a healthy disdain for authority, a sense of comradeship and committed emotional sentiment in many campaigns of war which required formidable heroism against impossible odds. In fact during World War II Poles, Australians and New Zealanders fought side by side at the appalling Battle of Monte Cassino. The Polish Independent Carpathian Rifle Brigade fought alongside Australian troops at the Siege of Tobruk. One surviving members of the Brigade took part in this year's special 100th Anniversary ceremony. We even had a military band this year!

Here are some photographs of the ceremony.

The Australian and New Zealand forces representatives

Poles are keen on detailed and accurate re-enactments and commemorations of past battles from the medieval Battle of Grunwald in 1410, through 19th century Napoleonic battles to WW II and it seems even to this commemoration. This trio are part of a Living History
Group known as "Commonwealth Forces". Theyre-enact non-British troops fighting
during the both world conflicts - primarily Australian soldiers (AIF). This specific interest means that the group consists of only 15 people in the whole country. The trio came from the attractive and outstandingly musical town of Bydgoszcz. Uniforms, equipment and armament come from their own collections, vehicles from the collection of their friends. Nothing is hired from commercial outlets. How amazing is that!

Three Polish members of the Living History Group known as "Commonwealth Forces".

The Australian Ambassador to Poland H. E. Jean Dunn enjoys a convivial moment with three members of the Polish Living History Group 'Commonwealth Forces'.

At this event I always reflect deeply on the nature of children confronted with such a commemoration and the contemporary horrors that are unforgivably murdering and maiming such innocents

Two young boys wonder at the wreaths laid at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Pilsudski Square Warsaw at the 2014 ceremony. Let us fervently hope they never have to face any war that has given rise to such memorials

Home to watch in the evening the masterpiece Gallipoli (1981) directed by Peter Weir, a film which encapsulates everything concerning the spirit of ANZAC and many of the qualities that being an Australian male entails. As Mel Gibson who starred in it points out in an interview, a film that entertains, educates and uplifts spiritually - in short a complete work of art.

A balanced documentary view of the Dardanelles Campaign from both sides by Tolga Ornek is assembled on a more recent DVD narrated by Jeremy Irons and Sam Neil. Entitled Gallipoli: The Frontline Experience it contains an immense amount of contemporary and harrowing footage (118 minutes) without the glamour that a commercial feature film unavoidably gives to the battle. www.goentertain.tv GRDA 4020

If one has a strong enough stomach one can read in excruciating detail of the full communication and slaughterous shambles and incompetence of the various landings on the peninsula by ANZACS, the British and the French as well as the often ignored but enormous Turkish casualties in the recent book Gallipoli by Peter Hart (London 2011). The many personal accounts that the author selects from the diaries and letters of officers and men brings this book gruelingly alive and immediate. Compulsive reading.

Another book I discovered this year is War Dairies : A Chaplain at Gallipoli. The Great War Diaries of Kenneth Best (Imperial War Museum Publication, London 2011). These unmatched dairies have the immediacy of a movie and an unflinching candour, in particular concerning the British class distinctions that often soiled relations between officers and men.

A chance to 'discover' another work by the once famous Polish composer,
Aleksander Tansman (1897-1986), once considered as important as Szymanowski. The
magnificent violin concerto we heard earlier in the festival cemented him in my
mind as an outstanding composer inexplicably rather overlooked in the West at
least by popular opinion. The cultural iron curtain perhaps operating as a psychological
and prejudicial barrier once again. Tansman was a distinguished Polish composer
born in Łódz and a virtuoso pianist. After further studies in Warsaw he moved
to Paris where his less than conservative composing style was appreciated by Stravinsky
and Ravel. He also had a highly successful concert career as a pi…

SATURDAY, AUGUST 11CHOPIN'S MANOR 8.00 PMPiano RecitalSERGEI BABAYANThis distinguished musician and pianist requires little introduction. He has appeared at the most famous international music festivals with all the great orchestras of the world under the most renowned conductors, at the finest music venues as well as having been awarded most of the glittering prizes. For me his most outstanding claim to fame is his close relationship with the composer and pianist Daniil Trifonov as teacher, guide, philosopher and friend.

I was unfortunately unable to attend this recital and recordings of it are unavailable.SATURDAY, AUGUST 11 CHOPIN’S MANOR 4:00 PM Piano recital ERIC LU For
such a young man Eric Lu has achieved great things which …

Initially I think it interesting and instructive to briefly examine the rather exotic Polish-Turkish relations of the past. You may have already read this on a previous post but it remains extremely relevant and you may have already come across it.

Over the centuries this fascinating and involved subject has had a profound influence on Polish history. This was especially true in the 17th century at the spectacular Siege and subsequent Battle of Vienna (12th September 1683) that witnessed the victory of the Polish Husaria or Winged Cavalry under the command of King Jan Sobieski over the vastly superior military forces of the Ottoman Empire under the Grand Vizier Merzifonlu Kara Mustafa Pasha. Historic relations between the two countries were initiated around 1414 with a Polish mission to the Ottoman Empire. Many wars followed over territorial claims in the Back Sea region. This was balanced in a way by supportive collaboration against the Habsburgs and the emerging Grand Duchy of Musco…

Australian author and classical musician.
He seriously studied the piano and harpsichord in London for many years.
His piano teacher was Eileen Ralf, a former professor at the Royal Academy of Music and the inspiring teacher of the great Australian pianist Geoffrey Tozer.
His harpsichord teacher was Maria Boxall, editor of the keyboard works of the English Baroque composer and organist John Blow as well as a renowned Harpsichord Method.
He yearns for the South Pacific islands but through a number of unlikely events and coincidences beached up on the cold shores of the Baltic.